Thoughts to help crystallize the syllabus for Young Professionals and Researchers

Nandakumar D Govt College, Kariavattom, Trivandrum, Kerala

nandan4@gmail.com

Points to ponder...

Syllabus that come out of this brain storming workshop should be innovative, stimulating to develop critical thinking and research should be beneficial to the society

Long-term goal

Geographical research and professionals should be capable in responding to problems ranging from geopolitical, environmental/ ecological, disaster, competing demand for natural resources, urbanization, growing inequality and poverty

Research outcomes should be contributing in policy decisions

Geographical research and professionals should take Geography beyond academics...

The Current Situation

Fifteen concept notes Sreekumar send to us speaks a lot: Prof.Nina Singh's note clearly expounds views and status of philosophical aspects that are dealt in Indian academia and Prof Dikshit gives the theoretical underpinnings of the Philosophy of Geography.

Prof Sharma and Prof Ranjan Basu elucidates the interdisciplinary nature of Geography and suggests linkages with other disciplines
On research methods and tools in Geography, Prof Ravi (argues for greater Qualitiative methods), Prof Nathawat (outlines the do's and don'ts) and Prof Swapna Banerjee (scans through theories of globalization and links it to dynamics of space and spatiality) There are four concept notes (Prof Shukla Bhaduri, Sheela Prasad, Anil Kumar and Nandakumar) that goes on to suggest ways and means of inculcating a sense in Geographical research issues that are pivotal in society.

Other three concept notes (Prof Malay Mukhopadhyay, Prof Tiwari and Prof Devendra Naik) brings in concerns and apprehensions that should be taken into consideration while developing the syllabus.

...from yesterday's debate and deliberations

Geography spans and integrates physical, social, biological sciences, and humanities New theories and technologies energize geography Geography has changed enormously over the past few decades Careers in Geography stand testimony to it (from Remote Sensing, GIS to Resource Management, Conservation and Sustainability)

Now the essentials...

Strong Theoretical Base If above is not the case:

then state the alternative strategies

list the pros and cons of each strategy

give a forecast of costs Weak Theoretical Base

What could be done...

Recommend one or several strategies: stimulants for critical thinking should start early (may be from high school level); careful consideration of including papers that are interdisciplinary in nature at undergraduate level; making necessary policy changes to give more choice for the students to choose subjects outside Geography (core and electives)

In higher education, particularly that lead to dissertation/thesis research, proper understanding of the problem and right choice of tools are essential for meaningful outcomes (make sure that tool do not rule over the research agenda)

What could be done...

There are some thoughts that are expressed in my concept note... let's take a brief look at that.

Thank You.